Set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War, War Horse begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets--British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter--before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Mans Land. The First World War is experienced through the journey of this horse--an odyssey of joy and sorrow, passionate friendship and high adventure. --(C) Dreamworks

Copyright note: It is recommended that your church secures license to show the film. This can be provided in an annual subscription by http://www.cvli.com/

Start with prayer.

Discussion

Think of a time when you have experienced a struggle and share (ex. death of someone you knew, family member lost a job, loss of friend, etc.).

Share some of the emotions you had during the times of struggle.

What strategies did you use to overcome or get through this struggle?

Discuss some of the hardships the characters faced in the movie War Horse (Albert and family, British Captain Nicholls, the French grandfather and Emilie, the other various soldiers) and discuss some of struggles they encountered.

Discuss what they might have struggled with.

How did they seem to respond to it?

How did Joey (the horse) entering their lives seem to make a difference?

The Bible

Read through the Apostle Paul's account of what he had gone through in 2 Corinthians 11:16-29.

What are some of the big struggles that Paul faced, according to the passage?

How do you think you would react if all that stuff happened to you?

What did Paul's reaction seem to be in the midst of the struggles/suffering?

Paul faced many struggles in his life. Read Romans 8:31-40 to see his attitude toward this.

How do you respond to Paul's attitude? Is it what you expected, did it surprise you, etc.?

Read more of Paul's account in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.

What else does this seem to tell us about Paul's perspective on struggles/suffering?

How might this perspective of suffering/facing temptations affect us as we face our own?

Read 1 Peter 3:13-22.

What comfort might this passage bring?

What does it say to us in the midst of suffering/struggles?

Closing Thoughts

In this life, we are faced with many struggles, but thanks be to God that He gives us the strength and the Holy Spirit, that we can remain in His love through those times of loss and struggles.

What are some things you learned about the things we discussed?

What are some things you might think or do differently now?

Close in prayer.

Published August 2012

Sean Cramer graduated as a DCE from Concordia University, River Forest and served as a Program Assistant/Associate at Camp Lone Star in La Grange, TX. After moving back to his hometown near Rockford, IL, Sean currently works with Developmentally Disabled individuals. Aside from awaiting a Call in professional ministry again, Sean enjoys volunteering, reading, playing games, exercising, and observing his dog be absolutely resistant to any new tricks.